KUALA LUMPUR: Increased emphasis on education and awareness, including age-appropriate discussions with children, is essential in the fight against sexual offences targeting minors.
Yayasan Chow Kit co-founder Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin said efforts to combat these crimes should encompass stronger legislation and enforcement, as well as expanded educational initiatives, particularly in people's housing projects (PPRs) and rural areas.
She said it was crucial to teach parents and other adults to engage in open, age-appropriate conversations with children about body safety and boundaries, and to encourage child participation by seeking their perspectives to help address the issue effectively.
To strengthen legislation and enforcement, Hartini suggested enhancing penalties for offenders, improving monitoring of registered sex offenders and allocating more resources for law enforcement to effectively investigate these crimes.
She called for the inclusion of comprehensive sex education in school curriculums, covering topics such as consent, boundaries and online safety.
"Public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate parents and communities, alongside improved support services, including increased funding for counselling and support for child victims and their families.
"There should be enhanced training for teachers, healthcare workers, and others who work with children to recognise signs of abuse."
She stressed the need to address the root causes of sexual offences against children.
"We must invest in programmes that tackle poverty, substance abuse and other factors that elevate risks for children.
"Initiatives should begin in PPRs and villages, including town hall meetings and training sessions," she added.
Hartini pointed out the lack of participation among children in discussions about their safety.
"We often place the entire responsibility on parents, but what if they are unable or unwilling to take that responsibility?
"We need to teach parents to have open, age-appropriate conversations with children about body safety and boundaries."
Hartini stressed the need for stricter regulations on online platforms to protect minors and provide parents with resources to monitor their children's online activities.
Human Rights Commission children's commissioner Professor Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal said while current laws were adequate, there should be more educational programmes to curb sexual crimes against children.
"The government has made significant strides, recently amending the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, the Evidence Act, the Child Witness Act, and other statutes to enhance enforcement against crimes targeting children.
"However, we must do much more in terms of educational and awareness initiatives to help children and parents recognise the dangers associated with sexual offences," she said.